Logistics Reduction: Heat Melt Compactor (LR-HMC)
Project Introduction
The Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Logistics Reduction (LR) project Heat Melt Compactor (HMC) technology is a waste management technology. Currently, there are no waste management practices that are being implemented in the space environment other than manual compaction of waste into a plastic bag. The current practice does not recover critical resources such as water, does not prevent the growth of potentially harmful microbiological pathogens, and provides only limited volume reduction.
The primary purpose of the HMC is to reduce the volume and microbiologically stabilize the waste. The HMC is a device that compacts and heats the trash. The trash is heated to the point where some of the plastic softens and fills the interstitial voids between non-melted trash. The compacted trash is then cooled, resulting in a dry, relatively solid tile that does not exhibit the spring back of traditional compactors. The shape of the tile is predictable and maximizes the efficiency of storage volume. When the trash is heated, it results in a microbiologically-safe tile that can be safely handled by the crew. The HMC can process both wet and dry trash. The water that is driven off the waste is collected and returned to the Water Recovery System. The tiles have ~10% hydrogen by mass from the plastics, wipes, and residual food and can be used to provide additional radiation shielding in the spacecraft.
A full-scale, second-generation (Gen2) HMC has been developed and is being used to finalize operational parameters and identify hardware issues. Gen2 HMC tests will allow development of an eventual ISS flight unit. Several SBIR companies were have been award over the HMC period in related areas of microgravity-compatible condensing heat exchanger designs, trash bag liners to allow hygienic tiles after HMC processing, and general HMC system design.
Limited Gen2 HMC ground testing began in 2017 but was not completed due to inability to reach desired compaction pressure and vaucuum. In FY18 the hardware is being repaired to partially restore its desired capability. Testing is planned to investigate the use of the ISS vent system as a possible simplification of product gas treatment. Additional ground testing in collaboration with industry is planned for FY19. Development and flight of a HMC unit to ISS is planned in the early 2020s.
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Anticipated Benefits
The HMC technology would benefit any long-duration operation with limited habitable volume. The goal is to reduce trash volume and microbiologically inactivate it. This will provide less odor generation and improve habitat hygiene. As an alternative to radiation shielding, increased habitable volume, and recovered water, HMC processed trashed could be processed further using trash-to-gas technology to produce methane, or the tiles could be a compact form for trash disposal/ejection from the vehicle.
The HMC task will develop a highly reliable technology primarily for reducing trash volume. HMC will also recover water from waste materials and produce microbiologically-stable, low volume tiles for radiation protection, storage or disposal. For a one-year mission of four crew, it is estimated that HMC could recover ~8 cubic meters of habitable volume, produce over 900 kg of radiation shielding tiles, and recover 230-720 kg of water.
More »Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Ames Research Center
(ARC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Moffett Field, CA |
Glenn Research Center
(GRC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Cleveland, OH |
|
Johnson Space Center
(JSC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Houston, TX |
|
Kennedy Space Center
(KSC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Kennedy Space Center, FL |
|
Marshall Space Flight Center
(MSFC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Huntsville, AL |
|
NASA Headquarters
(HQ)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Washington, DC |
|
White Sands Test Facility
(WSTF)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Facility | Las Cruces, NM |
| Co-Funding Partners | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Materials Modification, Inc. | Industry | Fairfax, VA |
| Orbital Technologies Corporation | Industry | Madison, WI |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
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Alabama
-
California
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District of Columbia
-
Florida
-
New Mexico
-
Ohio
-
Texas
-
Virginia
-
Wisconsin
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Ames Research Center (ARC)
Responsible Program:
- Advanced Exploration Systems Division
Project Management
Program Director:
Project Managers:
Principal Investigator:
Co-Investigator:
Project Duration
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 4 |
| Current: | 4 |
| Estimated End: | 6 |
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TA 6 Human Health, Life Support, and Habitation Systems
- TA 6.1 Environmental Control and Life Support Systems and Habitation Systems
- TA 6.1.3 Waste Management
- TA 6.1.3.3 Trash Management System
Other / Cross-cutting:
- TA 6 Human Health, Life Support, and Habitation Systems
- TA 6.1 Environmental Control and Life Support Systems and Habitation Systems
- TA 6.1.4 Habitation
- TA 6.1.4.7 Lightweight Crew Quarters
- TA 6.5 Radiation
- TA 6.5.3 Protection Systems
- TA 6.5.3.2 In-Situ Passive Shielding from and in the Spacecraft